About the course
This course is free to 19+ Liverpool City Region Residents also applying for PA6a or PA2. The cost is �85 for 19+ residents of other non devolved authorities including Lancashire and Cumbria. The course fees are �240 for apprentices and residents of a devolved authority.
Current course dates are:
15th September 2025
3rd November 2025
This training and assessment programme supports the information and knowledge required to achieve the L2 Award in the Principles of Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides (PA1). The modules delivered place a strong emphasis on the safe use of pesticides, environmental factors, legislation and successful achievement of the assessment
Course Coverage
Legislation Product
Labels
Personal Safety and Contamination
Pesticide and container storage
Disposal Record keeping
Environmental factors
Key Information
Location: Liverpool Campus
Course length: One Year (one week)
Start date: September 2025
Interested in taking this course? Click here to apply for this course online
Entry requirements & additional information
There are no pre requirements for this qualification, but a good level of literacy is required for the training and assessments.. Successfully completing and gaining this qualification is a pre requisite to gaining any other pesticide application qualifications.
Please be aware that the online test can be extremely challenging for candidates who have English as a second language. The test uses technical language and whilst candidates can follow the training well, they may struggle to to interpret the multiple-choice questions on the formal assessment. Unfortunately, this exam does not allow translators or translation applications as it is felt that this might compromise safety in the workplace when candidates must interpret English pesticide labels. If you have/ are a candidate that may fall into this category, please contact us at [email protected].
Some learners may be eligable to apply for exam access arrangemements (EAAs) although the evidence required by exam boards can be difficult to produce for adults. Further information on applying for EAAs can be requested from [email protected]. College is unable to provide support assistants for external candidates, external support can be provided by the candidate as long as it meets the guidelines set out in the Short Course EAA guide.
The computer-based assessment is held at the end of the training day. If candidates would prefer to book the test at a later date, please contact the College at the time of booking. Later assessments will take place during the next scheduled PA1 training day (see factsheet for dates). Please note that a later assessment may interfere with any PA6a or PA2 assessments if training has also been booked for these.
Assessments are in the form of a computer based multiple choice question format. A basic operational knowledge of computer use will be required.